Kate Middleton hasn’t attended this year’s Wimbledon tournament yet, though organizers are still “hopeful” she will make an appearance before the matches end on July 14.
Instead, the royal’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, attended the high profile event on Thursday.
Carole, 69, was photographed at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club wearing a floral dress under a cream blazer while Michael, 74, sported a navy suit and yellow patterned tie.
The Princess of Wales normally attends the annual event but was notably absent as she continues her treatment for her cancer diagnosis, which she revealed in March.
Though, All England Club chair Debbie Jevans previously told Telegraph Sport in June that the club is still optimistic Kate, who has been a patron of the All England Club since 2016, will still be able to make an appearance.
“We’re hopeful that the Princess of Wales will be able to present the trophies as the Club’s patron, but her health and recovery is the priority,” Jevans told the outlet.
She continued, “We don’t know what we don’t know. All we’ve said is that we’ll work with her and give her as much flexibility as possible.”
If she were to attend, it would mark Kate’s second public appearance following her diagnosis announcement after she joined the rest of the royal family in this year’s annual Trooping the Colour last month.
The Princess of Wales wore a white long-sleeved coat dress trimmed with a black bow as she rode in a carriage with her children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, during King Charles III’s birthday parade.
Shortly after the event, royal expert Katie Nicholl predicted it would be awhile before fans would see Kate in anymore public appearances due to the toll the it took on her to be present at such a distinguished function.
“I think a day like Saturday where she knows the eyes of the world are on her, there is a huge amount of scrutiny that will take its toll,” Nicholl explained. “I don’t think we can expect to see her in public for a little while. That’s going to take some recovery.”
Nicholl added, “She was on her feet for a long period of time. There was a moment where she was watching the parade … and was offered a seat, which she gratefully accepted. That’s just a bit of an acknowledgement that she is not as strong, not as fit, as she was before she went into this treatment.”
